Grace of a Wolf by Lenaleia

Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Grace: Unwelcome Advances

I have to leave the pack.

This realization is a long time coming, but when I wake up to Rafe's face staring down at me, in the relative safety of my own room, it's a decision made for me.

I'm not safe anywhere. Not even where I sleep.

"Don't shout," he whispers, placing a hand over my mouth.

I wasn't going to, anyway. No one would come to my aid here.

My nod seems to relieve him, because he lets me go and sits on my bed without asking for permission.

I sit up, my fingers clutching the blanket and pulling it over my chest. The thin fabric offers little protection, but it's all I have against Rafe's piercing blue gaze. I'm still wearing my clothes from yesterday, but being in my bed—in my room—leaves me feeling vulnerable.

My heart pounds, a traitorous rhythm that threatens to betray my resolve.

"What are you doing here?"

Rafe's sun-bright hair catches the dim light, a halo around his perfect features. His blue eyes, once a source of comfort, now make my stomach twist.

All I can see is how he dumped me for Ellie the moment he realized they were mates.

"How are you doing, Grace?"

His hand reaches for mine. I flinch away, pressing myself against the headboard.

"What are you doing here?" The words come out sharper this time.

Rafe's shoulders slump, and he runs a hand through his hair, mussing the perfect strands. "I'm worried about you."

A harsh laugh escapes my lips before I can stop it. "That's rich."

"I mean it, Grace. I care about you."

"You have a funny way of showing it."

His sad facade fades as his jaw clenches. There's a tick beneath his skin, a twitching that only serves to remind me he's changed. Like a personality transplant. Or, worse—I never knew him at all. "It's complicated."

"No, it's not. You chose her. You made that perfectly clear."

My lack of submission must anger his wolf, too. "It's not that simple. The mate

came out with more scorn

leans forward, his scent washing over me. Trees and earth and everything I once called home. "Grace,

The words hang between us, heavy and undeniable. Making me sound way

hand. His touch sends sparks racing up my arm, and I hate myself for the way my body responds

you,"

were. But then I remember Ellie's cruel smile. His

me. You don't get to come in here

He takes a deep breath, visibly trying to calm himself. "I know things are different now, but that doesn't mean I've stopped caring

is so fucking pathetic for this situation, leaving me with no way to express how I feel. So I laugh. A brittle, sharp, broken sound. "Like how your new mate treats me like dirt? How the entire

hand and holding tight, not letting me go.

me. "It's not just about how Ellie treats me. It's about how you let her treat me.

against my mate, Grace.

here?" I demand, anger finally overtaking

he's too close. His hand cups my cheek, and I hate the way I

me, to pretend that nothing has changed. It

I hate him.

miss him. So

was my everything. I dreamed of a future with him. I

away, scrambling out

"Grace—"

tall, even as my legs shake beneath me. The temptation of the familiar is terrifying.

so attractive now feeling oppressive. "You're mine,

how much my heart hurts. Again. "No, I'm not. I'm human, remember? I

fire; his wolf is fighting for control. He

a hand on the wall beside my head. "You're just

hand, brushing it against my jaw in a whisper-soft

is not the Rafe I

wasn't stupid like this. He cared about my feelings. My thoughts. He wanted me to be true to myself. He

claim to

downgrade to pleas. "I just want to be

he breathes, his eyes drawn to my lips. "We'll keep it quiet. I promise I won't let

she's not

eyes, even as his hand strokes my cheek in a gentle caress. "It's okay, Gracie. I'll make it okay. We can still be together in the end. I know I

his lips against my hand, in soft, sensual

mistake, Grace. But I'm going to get you back. You'll see.

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